Two other PVC players Monroe Central senior outside hitter/setter Kari Young and Beallsville outside hitter Charity Street joined Canel and Leasure in 22nd annual event, which featured 80 of the top high school volleyball players from around Ohio.

The day began with nearly 100 girls receiving their all-state plaques. Canel was recently named to the D-III first team while Leasure was placed on the D-III second team. Young was also a second team D-III player.

Several mentors were then recognized by receiving Coaches Outstanding Achievement and Coach of the Year awards.

After the poll champions Cincinnati St. Ursula (23-0) in D-I, Archbishop Alter (21-2) in D-II, Huron (23-0) in D-III and St. Henry (22-1) in D-IV were announced, former Minford High coach Karen Miller was inducted into the OHSVCA Hall of Fame. She posted a 364-155 mark at the varsity level while at MHS.

River View Highs Cathy Seipel Ames was then announced as the winner of the Volleyball Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award for 2003. She coached for 27 years and finished with a career mark of 510-119 (.811 winning percentage).

Before play got under way, the OHSVCA named the 2003 Media Award winners. Included in that list was The Daily Jeffersonian (Heath A. Dawson, Jeff Harrison, Stephanie Peoples, Darren McCulloch, Ron Miller and Rick Stillion), Coshocton Tribune (Jim Barstow), The Valley Sports Journal (Steve Large), Madison Press (Jeff Gates) and Elyria Chronicle Telegram (Judy Asp). Each media outlet was recognized for its effort in covering high school volleyball.

On behalf of The Daily Jeffersonian Sports Department, with great appreciation and humbleness, we are proud to have received the prestigious award from the OHSVCA.

As the sports editor of The Jeff, I have made conscientious efforts to make sure each high school sport has received its fair coverage. In the five and one-half years Ive spent here, that goal has been accomplished and volleyball has been one of the benefactors.

I would like to think one could ask any volleyball coach from our eight schools and they would tell you our coverage more often than not exceeds expectations.

On several occasions, coaches and fans from outside our circulation areas have praised our coverage of volleyball, which is why were all happy to receive the award.

The Media Award is a credit to my hard-working staff, which includes Harrison, McCulloch, Peoples, Miller and Stillion. For the first time in the history of The Daily Jeffersonian, every volleyball tournament game was covered by a reporter and nearly every game was covered by a photographer (Mike Neilson, Sean Scott or Jamie Booth). That proves the commitment each member of the staff has to volleyball and promoting local sports.

We all would like to thank the coaches from Cambridge, Meadowbrook, Buckeye Trail, John Glenn, Shenandoah, Caldwell, Barnesville and Newcomerstown for their cooperation throughout this past season.

Id like to personally thank SHS head coach Colleen Kasper for nominating The Daily Jeffersonian for the award.

There were four games that took place Sunday. Canel, Leasure and Young all played in the D-III game, with Leasure and Young being on the same team.

In game one, Canels Black Squad posted a 15-10 victory. However, Leasures White Squad rallied to take the second game, 15-10 and roared back from a 7-0 hole in the rally-scoring third game to post a 15-8 decision.

Leasure made a fine showing in the contest as she finished with 14 digs, six points and one kill. The Lady Zep was more than happy to participate in the states showcase event.

Its just a big honor to come up here and play in this game, Leasure stated. Its nice to get out of the local area and see some of the bigger players from around the state. You get used to seeing all of the same players and it was neat to see so many good players on the same floor. I felt really lucky to play along side of them.

It was really nice meeting a lot of different players. They are seemed so focused on volleyball and that was good to see. The fact that we won made the day a little more worth while, she added.

Despite being on the losing team, Canel was also smiling from ear to ear following the match.

It was great to come up here to Wooster and represent my team (Buckeye Trail), the Eastern District and myself, Canel related. There were a lot of great players and it was a lot of fun to play with players from different schools.

The competition was extraordinary. I really enjoyed meeting all of the girls and hope to stay in touch with Orrvilles TaNeisha Winters. We made a lot of friends this weekend, Canel concluded.

Canel finished the afternoon with 11 assists, two digs and one point.

Congratulations girls on a fine season!

(Heath A. Dawson is the sports editor for The Daily Jeffersonian. Dawson can be reached via e-mail at HDawson21@hotmail.com).